The San Diego Padres' ongoing quest for a World Series (or at least a playoff title). "You know that many runners enter a race, but only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Never Give Up

I’ve learned a lot about this team in the last week. It’s been a learning experience all season, I guess, with all the unknown players who joined us in Spring Training and made the roster. Sure, some of last year’s players were still here, but this was a different team. One of the themes that keeps coming up over and over with these guys is that they never give up. They are always battling, and they do not go down without a fight. Especially when their ace is out there pitching his heart out on a bum ankle and they need to win the game.

Talk about not getting discouraged, using every asset they have to win. Adrian Gonzalez has been walked 20 times in his last 10 games because 1), guys don’t want to pitch to him, and 2), because Adrian doesn’t have a threat batting behind him. Until last night.

Down 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, the Padres got four runs. Tony Gwynn singled one in, and David Eckstein hit a sacrifice fly. After Adrian intentionally walked, with two on and two outs, Kevin “Slumping” Kouzmanoff came to the plate.

Now, I don’t know about you, but if opposing pitchers were walking Adrian Gonzalez so they could get to me, I wouldn’t be very happy, slump or not. I would want to show them that they made a mistake. Kouz didn’t let it bother him too much, as he hit a two-run single to take the lead.

The Diamondbacks got one more in the sixth. Jake‘s night ended after the seventh. He allowed three runs on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He wasn’t 100%, but he threw a great game, and he gave the bullpen what it needed. I am so proud of him for getting through it! His ankle is still worriesome, though he said that he will be out there on Saturday. Heal up soon, Jake!!

In the bottom of the seventh, the Padres put away the game for good. Here’s the situation: there’s a runner on with two outs, and the Diamondbacks intentionally walk you guessed it, Adrian Gonzalez, to get to Kouz!! Talk about deja vu, man! And it keeps getting better, becasue my Kouz hits a two-run double to extend the lead to 6-3!! BWABWABWABWA!! So much for the walk-Adrian-to-get-Kouz strategy. It was foiled twice!!

What a beautiful swing. Hey, I think that elbow guard is new. I guess he was tired of getting hit all the time :)

Heath Bell made it interesting in the ninth, as usual, but he got his major-league best 17th save. Yeah Heath!!

And so, Kouzmanoff and Peavy got the job done. As did a lot of other guys, like Tony Gwynn with his two hits and Greg Burke with his scoreless inning. Last night, we were a team.

Yesterday before the game the Padres made some roster moves. They activated pitcher Mike Adams from the 60-day DL. I haven’t heard anything about this guy in soooo long, it’s crazy. He wasn’t in Spring Training, and he only pitched eight rehab games. But he was one of our most solid relievers last year, so hopefully he will be able to pick up where he left off.

Edwin Moreno and Wade LeBlanc were also called up. Moreno was with us earlier, but he got sent down because he couldn’t pitch. LeBlanc was with us a little at the end of the season last year, and he was OK. This guy is a big prospect, and he’s still growing.

JOE THATCHER WAS SENT DOWN!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!! Ok, he wasn’t that bad up here, but I cannot forget what he has done to hurt this club. Sorry.

Luis Perdomo was put on the DL, and shortstop Chris Burke was sent to Triple-A. Which means that Josh Wilson is the only shortstop on our roster. Which means that the Padres are getting ready to activate Shortstop #1 or Shortstop #2 soon. (Burke was #3, and Wilson is #4) Sounds like Luis Rodriguez is going to be activated this week! YES!! This is very exciting. I can’t wait to get #2 back, Everth Cabrera. He’s going to be a good player in the future.

So, interesting moves. Hopefully they will help us.

Today’s the big draft, huh? Well, I just hope the Padres get some good players that won’t be busts like so many of our picks have been.

Tonight we are in LA for a two-game series. I expect the Padres to play very well, though it’s going to be an intense series. We’ll have to battle, but that’s something we’re good at.

Chris Young will start today against Chad Billingsley, and Chad Gaudin will pitch against Clayton Kershaw tomorrow. I wouldn’t be suprised if Gaudin was scratched, though. He pitched on Friday and Sunday, so I don’t know if he’ll be ready to go tomorrow.

6 Comments

Great game! I’m glad both Jake and Kouz were the heros. Let’s hope for a win against the Dodgers tonight! Josh Wilson is alright but I still think of Khalil when it comes to shortstops :) Joe Thatcher is out and Mike Adams is in. I love this change!http://hyunyoung.mlblogs.com

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